SPRINGFIELD— Legislation that would end deadlines for when someone could be prosecuted for sexual abuse against a minor was approved by the Illinois Senate yesterday.

State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) voted for the measure and is its chief co-sponsor.

“Passing this measure in the Senate was a positive step for victims’ rights and justice,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “If someone has been sexually abused, they deserve the time they need to report the crime and confront their abuser. We must do everything we can to protect victims and hold abusers accountable.”

Under the legislation, the statute of limitations would be removed if the victim is under 18 years of age for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and felony criminal sexual abuse.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is a proponent of the initiative. Scott Cross, one of former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert’s victims of sexual abuse, has also previously testified in support of the legislation.

In Hastert’s high-profile case, he did not face charges for sexual abuse he admitted to because the statute of limitations for those offenses had expired.

Bertino-Tarrant previously pushed for Hastert’s public pensions to be taken away. Additionally, the senator sponsored legislation last year that would have removed legal deadlines for prosecuting sex abuse crimes against minors.

Senate Bill 189 will now have to be approved by the Illinois House before going to the governor’s desk for consideration.